The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 84
Duke Pavel of Riagan, who had been in the south, returned to the capital ten days before Artizea’s birthday.
“Brother Pavel!”
“Tia!”
Artizea, waiting at the Riagan residence, hurried down the front steps with a delighted expression as the carriage arrived. Pavel greeted her with a bright smile, as if forgetting the fatigue of the long journey.
“You came out to meet me? I told you I’d arrive on time anyway.”
If it had been three years ago, he might have hugged her, but now he simply reached out and lightly rested his hand on her head.
Artizea quickly grabbed his wrist.
“No, don’t, you’ll mess up my hair.”
Pavel clicked his tongue with mild disappointment and withdrew his hand. It seemed like just recently she had been a little kid barely reaching his waist, but now she had grown up and was acting quite ladylike.
Since becoming Duke Riagan and traveling between the south and the capital, he’d felt her growing up more and more.
“I didn’t wait just because of the birthday.”
“Really? I rushed here especially to attend your birthday party.”
“You didn’t come last year, though.”
“I sent you a gift. There was an important matter in the Duchy last year, so I couldn’t help it.”
Usually, the significant milestone is turning twenty, not eighteen. But when it comes to arranged marriages like Artizea’s, it’s different.
At eighteen, one can marry with parental consent, inherit titles and property, so this birthday was essentially her coming-of-age ceremony.
A moment later, Lysia peeked out from the reception room, spotted Pavel, smiled brightly, and came out.
“Welcome back, Lord Pavel.”
“Long time no see, Lysia! You’ve grown a lot!”
Pavel offered his hand in a handshake with a face mixed with surprise and happiness. Since Lysia had left the capital at thirteen, it had been almost five years since they last met. While not unrecognizable, it was clear she had grown into a young adult.
Lysia smiled brightly, grasped his hand firmly, and shook it. Not only had she grown taller, but her hands were larger and calloused from hard work.
“How have you been? Still not knighted?”
“Not yet. I got a long leave as a special favor this time, but normally it wouldn’t be allowed.”
“You should be a bridesmaid at Tia’s wedding then.”
Pavel said this as if it were obvious.
But Artizea’s expression darkened at the words, and Lysia glanced nervously at her. Pavel was startled and asked.
“What’s wrong? Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Please come in. You must be tired.”
Pavel frowned. He was indeed tired, but could he just ignore this odd atmosphere?
“What’s going on? Has some scandal popped up about Cedric while I was gone?”
“Of course not. We just came to welcome Brother Pavel. Please go inside and rest. It’s nothing…”
“What do you mean nothing? Come on, follow me.”
“Really, it’s nothing.”
Pavel grabbed both Artizea’s and Lysia’s hands and headed straight to the living room. Artizea was flustered but couldn’t avoid speaking now.
Once seated and after sending everyone out, Pavel asked seriously.
“So? It can’t be that Ced is cheating.”
“It’s not that… It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“It seems Lord Ced doesn’t really like me much…”
“What?!”
“No, I don’t mean that personally!”
Startled by Pavel’s loud protest, Artizea quickly spoke and then lowered her head, cheeks flushed.
“He’s not interested in me as a woman.”
‘He’s not?’
Pavel thought, but kept silent and listened until the end.
Even with her red face, Artizea spoke in a subdued voice,
“Is marriage really the answer?”
“Uh…”
Pavel was genuinely taken aback. Artizea seemed surprised even at her own question.
“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Lysia, sitting beside her, desperately tried to communicate silently with her facial expressions, but Pavel, unsure of what to say, stammered for a while before deciding to empathize.
“That guy messed up.”
Artizea’s eyes widened in surprise. Pavel nodded gravely. On reflection, it really was all Cedric’s fault.
The problem was that there still wasn’t any talk of marriage. Pavel thought they should have been fitting bridesmaid dresses by now.
“No matter what, it’s Ced’s fault. He hasn’t given you any assurance yet.”
“That’s right.”
Lysia quickly agreed, not wanting to be left out. Artizea let out a bitter laugh.
“Don’t say that. I guess…. I’m just being too greedy.”
That’s how arranged marriages work. Artizea knew Cedric cared for her deeply, had treated her with all his heart, protected and cherished her, and would continue to do so.
Wanting him to add passion to that was purely her own excessive desire.
“Still, it feels good to talk about it. Thanks.”
“Tia…”
“Please keep this between us.”
Artizea laughed softly. She still had some time to think. Maybe more than she expected.
But no matter how she felt, the seat next to Cedric was hers, as long as he didn’t cast her aside. And Artizea wasn’t willing to yield even that to anyone.
“Don’t think too deeply, Brother Pavel. We’ll be going now.”
“Already?”
“I just came to say hello.”
Artizea said this as she approached Pavel. He, out of habit, extended his cheek to her. She kissed his cheek and stepped back.
Lysia couldn’t do the same. Pavel shook her hand once more, still somewhat dazed, and said.
“Well, if you both have time, come visit. Let’s see if your shooting skills have improved.”
“I’m pretty good now. I’m the best marksman in our unit.”
Lysia chuckled in response. Pavel reached out to pat her back but stopped himself.
* * *
Despite Artizea telling him not to overthink, it wasn’t an easy thing for Pavel.
When he left Riagan, everything was normal, but arriving in the capital brought many small complications. What Artizea said was just part of it, but personally, seeing Cadriol carrying out official duties was the most surprising.
“Didn’t you say you’d just stop by? Why are you meeting with Uncle Roygar then?”
“I’m curious about that too. Ask Grand Duke Evron.”
Cadriol glanced down at the cards in his hand.
With a swish, Graham slid a card into his hand and interrupted.
“Pavel, didn’t you give out his description?”
Graham had arrived in the capital a week before Pavel. Though not close enough to attend Artizea’s birthday party together, like everyone else, he thought the wedding would take place soon.